The July 14, 2007 issue of the British Medical Journal reported the conclusion of researchers at Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital in London that consuming probiotic bacteria, such as are found in yogurt, kefir, and probiotic supplements, helps prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use.

Antibiotic drugs kill the body's helpful micro-organisms as well as those that are harmful. Probiotic supplements contain beneficial live bacteria that help replenish gut flora destroyed by antibiotics. Disruption of the microflora can result in diarrhea, gas, candida albicans infection, and other gastrointestinal problems. An estimated 5 to 25 percent of patients treated with antibiotics develop diarrhea, including some cases associated with Clostridium difficile, a harmful bacteria that causes mild to severe diarrhea, which can result in dehydration and even death.

For the current study, 135 men and women over the age of 50 who received antibiotics at three London hospitals were randomly divided to receive a commercially available probiotic yoghurt drink or a sterile milkshake, beginning within 48 hours of the start of antibiotic therapy and continued twice per day until one week following discontinuance of the drugs. The probiotic drink contained active cultures of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus. Bowel movements were monitored, and stool samples analyzed in cases of diarrhea. Participants were contacted for follow up one month after discharage.

Of the 113 patients participating in the follow-up, 12% of those who received the probiotic drink had developed antibiotic-associated diarrhea compared with 34% of those that received the sterile drink. Seventeen percent of those that did not receive the probiotic had C. difficile-associated diarrhea, while there were no cases of C. difficile among those who received probiotics.

Because of the length of stay and drugs used to treat C. difficile, the researchers acknowledge that the routine use of a probiotic drink by patients receiving antibiotics would result in significant cost savings to hospitals, as well as reduce patient morbidity and mortality.

Immune Protect with Paractin® contains a combination of patented ingredients that have been clinically shown to boost immune function, increasing the body's natural ability to combat challenges.

Immune Protect with Paractin® provides 100 milligrams of a proprietary, patented form of beta-glucan that has been proven to activate the immune system's primary defenders: phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. The immune cell-priming capabilities of this patented, highly purified yeast derivative exceed those of all other sources of immune supplements tested to date.

When beneficial intestinal bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, digestive problems, poor absorption of food and nutrients, fungal infections, and generation of toxins by harmful intestinal bacteria may occur. The bacteria contained in Life Flora™ can recolonize the GI tract with beneficial bacteria, helping to end digestive problems and drive out the harmful, toxic bacteria.

Cruise the Western Caribbean and learn insider secrets to a significantly extended life span and vibrant health.

Join us for the inaugural Life Extension “Fountain of Life”Cruiseon October 27, 2007 for a week of fun-filled activities and the opportunity to rub elbows with fellow Life Extensionists aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s luxurious Norwegian Sun.

Cruise the Caribbean for 7 days with stops at exotic island destinations Roatan, Belize City, Costa Maya, Great Stirrup Cay—Roundtrip from Miami

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.